Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-07-21
The Strike at GrOtOn
Gorge.

the district school, slight, dark-eyod slip
Of thing with low voice, and such II
shy, timid way, that the hig girls and the
rebellious boys at once jumped TO the con-
cluson that she would be conquered at once
In her capacity of "school- ma am"
They discovered their mistake, however,
in a very brief period of time. Miss Allen
might be quiet, but she had the spirit of a
Joan of Arc. She reduced her little flock TO
order, and she kept them there, too.
Mrs. Binns, who presided over the Gorge
House, also bore testimony in behalf of
Arethusa Allen.
II didn't spose, when first seen her, that
she would amount Ia "A row of pins" said
Mrs. Binns, who weighed three hundred
pounds, and stood five feet eight in her
stockings. "a slim, school girl-lookin'
creetur like that And hadn't room 10
spare, and didn't see how | could possibly
accommodate her. But she spoke up So
pretty-like, that she hadn't no friends and
didn't know where 10 go, so says !: IF yon
don't mind room over the laundry, can
clear out some of the stores and put up n
cot-bed till the season is over. It's "A noisy
place daytimes, says /, with them Chinese
cackling and screechin', but it's still and
peaceable of nights. And if you'll help me
make out the bills and keep the accounts,
Miss Allen,' says /, T'll consider il in your
board, for / amt no scholar and never
was
Mrs. Binns was an ungainly creature 10
look nj, but she was rs beautiful ut heart as
the Venus di Medici's self, and Arethusa
soon felt herself at home in the little room
over the laundry, whose windows looked
out at the thread-like fall Of n silver cascade
and the unfathomable gloom of the fir glens
beyond. For Groton Gorge was rs lovely a
place as ever leaned from mountain plateau
over the misty valley below and the Grot-
on House was full of city boarders.
Nor was the domestic staff contemplate.
Mrs. Binns had all her servants from the
city during the summer season, and to all
appearances, everything went ON velvet.
Until one foggy August morning, when
Mrs Binns awakened 10 find herself racked
in every joint 10y acute rheumatism, and ut
terly incapable OF moving.
She sent for Mrs. Mackenzie, the cook, 10
give the days orders but Mrs. Macken-
zie did not wait 10 hear about roasting
chickens and joints of spring lamb, before
she began on her own account.
"Sorry 10 inconvenience you, ma am"
said Mrs. Mackenzie, with her arms AKIN
10 "but we ladies and gentlemen down
stairs have concluded 10 ask for an increase
of salary. And until you have conceded 20
our demands, We shall be impelled 10 resist
from work"
Mrs Binns opened her eyes wide.
"Ain't l payin' you good wages al
ready ?" said She "And l can't afford 10
pay no more-not a cent 90
Mrs. Mackenzie took roll of paper out
of her apron-pocket and opened II.
81 have here, ma am" said she, pursing
up her thin lips, "the signatures of all the
ladies and gents at present assistin' in the
mediterranean regiscs down stairs, inclu-
ding the four walters Of the colored gender
and the two Chinese washer-laundrics and
we won't none of MS stay another hour
without you'll agree in documentary writin',
ma am, to raise our salaries
And Mrs. Mackenzie tossed her head in
spiteful satisfaction.
Mrs. Binns sank back on her pillows.
81 can't give no answer" said she-'not
with this pain in my bones. Send Miss
Arethusa Allen TO me, please"
ooh, certainly, ma a'am-certainly - said
the cook rising. "Sorry you feel so poorly.
But you'll bear in mind, ma am, that we
shall expect an answer immediate"
And Mrs. Mackenzie Withdrew.
Presently Arethusa Allen came in-for,
rs it chanced, the district school had closed
n week previously, for the summer vacation
and found Mrs. Binns dissolved i'm tears
"What is It, dear Mrs. Binns % said
Arethusa.
"The help has all struck for higher wa
ges - cried Mrs. Binns. "And I'm payin'
em more than can afford now. And all
the prices of provisions have riz, and may
as well close the place at once. oh, Are
thusa, my head aches so l can't think |!
What shall / do? Tell me-there's
dear -
Nothing" said Arethusa, quietly. "Just
lie down again and let me send for a doc
tor"
''But the boarders and the dinner ?"
'T'll see to that" said Arethusa. '"Trust
me, and all shall be right. Those people
down stairs have been growing idler. and
more domineering and inefficient, every
day and now they want you to pay them
more money for doing less work. There
must be an end TO this. You will empower
me with full authority -
Mrs. Binns sent for the cook
stMrs. Mackenzie" said she, 81 am too
sick to parley with you, but Miss Allen will
represent me fully. What she says, l
say -
And she lay down and turned her face TO
the wall, with shut eyes, as If she washed
her hands of the whole concern while Mrs.
Mackenzie bridled and turned to the slim
young school teacher, who in her heart she
secretly despised Gas no better than ser.
want herself, with all them airs and graces
of hern."
"Well, Miss Allen, said she, "what's
your mind on the subiect The sooner the
question is settled the better for all parties.
We amt going to stand her imposition !"
Whatever idea Arethusa might have en-
tertained rs to a'compromise was thorough
ly banished by the cool insolence of the last
remark.
''You may CO." said she.
'Hey ?" said Mrs. Mackenzie, bristling
up like setting hen.
81 decline to entertain your proposal"
said Arethusa, calmly. "Pack up your
things, all of you, and the honse at once.
If you are expeditions, you may succeed In
taking the noon-train, that stops at the